Mountaineer’s carbon capture process illustrated Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/20/2009 01:00:00 PM

Now that American Electric Power’s carbon capture and storage project has begun operating at its Mountaineer plant in New Haven, W.Va., it has received a flurry of media attention.

And rightfully so – with the help of technology developed by French energy company Alstom, SA, the Mountaineer plant has become the nation’s first coal-generated power plant to capture and store its own carbon dioxide emissions. The goal is to capture and store about 1.5 percent of the CO2 the plant produces.

In the days after the plant’s announcement, many news organizations and publications have tried to explain Mountaineer’s clean coal process to the public – but few appear to have done it better than Scientific American.

We absolutely love the interactive slideshow that award-winning environmental journalist David Biello put together for the magazine.

At first glance, his photos look like a jumble of tubes, pipes and smokestacks, but he explains how each part of the plant plays an important role in cooling, capturing, storing and regenerating the carbon dioxide.

By the end of it, we guarantee that you’ll be up-to-date with the Mountaineer project and the process of capturing carbon emissions.

If you like what you see, check out the clean coal photos that the America’s Power^SM team took during this year’s Factuality Tour on Flickr. We got to see carbon capture and sequestration in action at the Pleasant Prairie Power Plant and the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration.

And don’t forget to read Scientific American’s related article and guide to carbon capture technology.

The facts: IGCC technology Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/20/2009 09:00:00 AM

We’ve gone into great depth on this blog about the investments the power industry has made to produce increasingly clean energy from coal. We’re proud of the results, but we’re not resting on our laurels.

That’s why it’s important to support clean coal technology efforts that will build on this success, such as the construction of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plants, which gasify fuels like coal to generate electricity more efficiently than traditional power plants.

To put the importance of IGCC into perspective, consider this fact: the Energy Information Administration predicted that 55 percent of new coal capacity developed from 2004 to 2030 will be IGCC.

To learn a little more about how IGCC works, check out our video interview with Stephen Jenkins, vice president of gasification services for CH2M Hill. He does a great job turning a complex process into an understandable concept.

And remember, IGCC is just one part of an ever-increasing suite of clean coal technologies that have already helped make today’s coal-based generating fleet 77% cleaner in terms of emissions currently regulated under existing Clean Air Act programs per unit of energy produced.

As we said, we’re proud of those results – but we’re confident the best is yet to come.

The facts: The power industry’s investment in clean coal technologies Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/18/2009 09:00:00 AM

One of the questions I’m most frequently asked about clean coal technologies is this: “How much does the coal industry spend on deploying the technologies it advocates?”

Answer: According to a report from Energy Ventures Analysis, Inc., the U.S. power industry has invested roughly $90 billion to deploy clean coal technologies to reduce emissions since 1990.

This huge expenditure has enabled today’s coal-based generating fleet to produce electricity that is 77 percent cleaner in terms of emissions currently regulated under existing Clean Air Act programs per unit of energy produced.

And our success with these technologies has set the stage for the next generation of clean coal projects.

In fact, the industry’s private investments, coupled with the government’s crucial contributions, have allowed for a myriad of CCS demonstration projects around the country—paving the way for commercial-scale CO₂ removal and permanent storage.

Want to learn more about our commitment to a clean energy future? Read the study for yourself, and check out our clean coal technology map to learn about projects happening near you.

CCS is a good investment Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/13/2009 01:50:32 PM

In a blog post from today, Grist reporter David Roberts’ argument that “we’re going to burn the coal anyway” is a bad reason to invest in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). His rationale? The technology is “not a low-cost alternative” and “not a modification of existing infrastructure.”

His last two points are accurate, but those seem to be no reasons to abandon efforts to leverage CCS technology.

In the long term, we need to take a look at the cost/benefit analysis, and, yes, CCS is going to be expensive. Even a study last month from the International Energy Agency said that businesses and governments will need to invest at least $2.4 trillion by 2050 to capture carbon dioxide from power plants and store it underground. However, the upside will be once CCS is commercially deployed: It could cut carbon dioxide emissions by 90 percent while limiting cost increases.

That’s one reason ACCCE is urging the federal government to partner with the private sector to help drive down the costs of commercial deployment.

In fact, many energy companies with clean coal projects – such as American Electric Power’s Mountaineer project in New Haven, W.Va. – have requested federal stimulus funding to ensure more efficient generation of electricity from coal.

And research groups are urging the government for financial assistance. Last week, Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Susan Hockfield told Bloomberg News that the lack of government investment in energy research is increasing the risk to national security and hindering the creation of breakthrough technology.

Researchers, scientists and engineers are working to perfect the science behind the technology to ensure we have enough energy to meet future demand.

The fact is, we rely on coal today and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future – a point Roberts acknowledged in his blog post. And that’s reason enough for us to continue investing in CCS technology to help reduce emissions even further.

Siemens to partner with Tenaska on $3.5 billion Ill. project Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/10/2009 01:00:00 PM

Siemens Energy Inc. has been chosen to provide the coal gasification technology at Tenaska’s 730-megawatt Taylorville Energy Center in Christian County, Ill., a news release reports.

Taylorville will be one of the nation’s first commercial-scale plants to use both carbon capture and storage and integrated gasification combined cycle technology.

If successful, the $3.5 billion facility could capture and store at least 50 percent of carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise enter the atmosphere.

Siemens’ gasifier technology would convert coal into substitute natural gas, which could be used for generating electricity or sent along into the interstate pipeline system.

We’re especially excited to hear about Taylorville’s progress because we had a chance to learn about the project in June, when we visited Tenaska’s headquarters in Omaha, Neb., for the 2009 America’s PowerSM Factuality Tour.

Our team learned that Taylorville will use state-of-the-art technologies to eliminate most of the sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and mercury emissions while considerably reducing emissions of nitrogen oxide.

The project is important to the local community because, as we reported on the Factuality Tour, the plant will run on Illinois coal, presenting the state with an opportunity to reinvigorate its coal industry while stimulating the economy of central and southern Illinois.

To find out more about Taylorville, watch the video above and be sure to check out the rest of the content on our Factuality Web site.

‘We’ve got to get back into the business of making stuff’ Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/09/2009 01:00:00 PM

The lack of government investment in energy research is increasing the risk to national security and hindering the creation of breakthrough energy technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Susan Hockfield told Bloomberg News last week.

As we approach Veterans Day, her message could not have rung truer. Hockfield said that the Obama administration’s request for $6.7 billion in U.S. energy-research funds “isn’t enough to move the U.S. toward energy independence.” (Her institution was the site of President Obama’s speech last month to highlight the nation’s need for clean energy.)

In order to create this technology, the government needs to invest in the research and development. And private industry wants to pitch in and lend a helping hand to its innovation.

More funding could build more robust public-private partnerships. Companies behind carbon capture and storage projects, such as Dominion’s Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County, Va., and American Electric Power’s Mountaineer project in New Haven, W.Va., are already seeking federal stimulus funding to ensure more efficient generation of our most abundant energy supply.

Investing in our domestic energy supply – as Hockfield stressed – is essential to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and gas.

But first, she said, “We’ve got to get back into the business of making stuff.” We agree.

The Facts: The real origin of ‘clean coal’ Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/09/2009 09:00:00 AM

Critics claim that it doesn’t exist, that it’s just a catchphrase concocted by the coal industry.

In reality, clean coal technologies have been in use for decades – and we have lots of examples that demonstrate the progress we’ve made (see below). But the term itself? That’s not something we can take credit for. Its origin can be found in a 1987 U.S. Senate bill:

“The term ‘clean coal technology’ means any technology … deployed at a new or existing facility which will achieve significant reductions in air emissions of sulfur dioxide or oxides of nitrogen associated with the utilization of coal in the generation of electricity.”

Today, clean coal technology refers to any technology associated with reducing emissions from coal-based electricity generation.

That covers a lot of innovation, for starters:

•More than $6 billion in research is underway right now across the United States to expand the depths of clean coal research.

•This month, American Electric Power Co.’s Mountaineer facility in New Haven, W.Va., became the country’s first coal-generated power plant to bury carbon emissions.

•And progress is being made on FutureGen, a proposed $1.5 billion project that would be the world's first coal-fueled, near-zero emissions power plant.

Every good term develops a life of its own, and we are proud that “clean coal” has taken off in more ways than one.

Jamestown Oxy-Coal Project would provide N.Y. an economic boost Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/04/2009 09:00:00 AM

Chemical company Praxair Inc. is banking on the federal government to help finance its Jamestown Oxy-Coal Project, a carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration site located near Buffalo, N.Y., reports Business First of Buffalo.

According to Jamestown Mayor Samuel Teresi, plant construction costs could exceed $500 million. Bond financing from the town’s Board of Public Utilities would cover $145 million of construction costs, but Praxair hopes the U.S. Department of Energy will cover the rest.

And it’s either government funding – or else. “Plan B is not an inviting notion,” Teresi said.

But the situation is not unique to the Jamestown Oxy-Coal Project – the construction of many other clean coal plants across the country hinges on federal dollars for completion.

Harvey Stenger, dean of the University of Buffalo’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, urged federal and state governments to invest in the project in a Buffalo News editorial in July.

It could be one of the most sizeable economic development initiatives in Upstate New York, potentially generating $900 million in statewide annual impact and 3,500 new jobs, he wrote.

Stenger went on to say that the only way we can realistically reduce carbon dioxide emissions is to spur investments in CCS projects – and that’s why it’s time for stakeholders to come together and make it happen.

We couldn’t agree more.

Mountaineer will advance CCS research, create jobs Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/03/2009 09:00:00 AM

Last week, American Electric Power and energy research center Battelle announced a project to capture as much as 110,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually at the Mountaineer plant near New Haven, W.Va., The Columbus Dispatch reported.

In August, The Dispatch editorialized that the initial $120 million investment would not only help advance carbon capture and sequestration technology in the realm of scientific research; it would also boost the economy of the Midwest by creating jobs in the region.

If successful, the plant would be expanded to capture up to 1.65 million tons a year. American Electric Power is seeking $334 million in federal stimulus funding to cover about half the cost of the larger plant, The Dispatch reported.

The editorial went on to say that AEP’s request is “appropriate” – especially because coal is likely to play a part in the foreseeable future.

This just goes to show that in order to push clean coal technologies forward, we need to continue building coal plants with the capacity to test and develop methods to cut carbon dioxide emissions on the commercial scale.

It’s great to hear such strong local support for new coal plants. We wish Mountaineer the best of luck in securing federal funding and moving ahead with the project.

Why climate legislation must provide support for CCT Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/30/2009 12:00:00 PM

We talk a lot on this blog about our belief that technology will be the ultimate answer to climate change, but I heard a fact today at the Clean Carbon Policy Summit in Austin that illustrates just how important technology is to worldwide reduction of carbon dioxide emissions: In the past several years, China has built enough coal-based generation to equal that of the entire US fleet – and in the next 20 years they will do it again.

What good will U.S. regulations do if they don’t provide adequate funding and support for clean coal technologies? Not much, if that stat holds true.

Luckily, it seems that a lot of very smart and important people also believe in the power of technology. In fact, the consensus among conference attendees and presenters was that we will need a suite of technologies, deployed across all energy platforms in order to meet both our growing demand for affordable, reliable power and carbon dioxide emissions limits – whatever those may be.

And though carbon capture and storage – especially CCS deployed over the existing power plant fleet – was widely discussed as the best bang for the buck in terms of the long-term cost of carbon containment, we need strong leadership and increased funding to reach that point.

AEP’s Paul Loeffelman, speaking on a panel about national carbon policy and the challenges facing the power generation industry, took that message one step further by extolling the need for policy support and the creation of public/private partnerships in order to see technologies fast tracked to full-scale commercial deployment without dramatically increasing electricity rates.

He also discussed the legislation pending in Washington – very timely considering the current Senate hearings on the Kerry-Boxer bill. A divisive subject for sure, especially given the anti-climate bill stance of the Texas executive branch, but many attendees supported some type of Federal bill, especially one that keeps costs down and provides increased funding for advanced clean coal technologies.

That’s good news to us at ACCCE, as we are working to ensure that any legislation is committed to developing clean coal technologies, contains a reasonable timeframe for emissions reductions and keeps costs affordable.

See more from the Clean Carbon Summit at www.cleancarbonsummit.com.

"We have to tell the clean coal story" in Texas Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/29/2009 01:00:00 PM

Did you know that Texas retains ownership rights to the land under the Gulf of Mexico for nine nautical miles, not just three like other Gulf Coast states, because it joined the United States as a sovereign country?

Aside from an interesting bit of trivia, that fact means that the Texas Gulf Coast has some of the most promising – and accessible – areas for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide in the world. In fact, research is underway to determine just how much CO2 rock formations under the gulf can hold. It’s one of the reasons Texas is poised to be a leader in the development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration.

We’re on a Texas kick this week because we are at the second annual Clean Carbon Policy Summit and Project Expo in Austin, Texas, and we will be updating periodically from the event.

ACCCE’s own Ned Leonard, vice president of technology policy, participated in a panel session here on the status of clean coal projects and the costs and incentives associated with their deployment.

Ned’s presentation reminded the crowd of mostly energy industry and political officials that “we have to tell the clean coal story” and not let our opponents win with largely unfounded rhetoric. According to Ned, “People that say there is no such thing as clean coal are ignoring history.”

How right he is. I have said it before and I’ll say it again: Clean coal technologies have made today's coal-based generating fleet 77 percent cleaner in terms of emissions currently regulated under existing Clean Air Act programs per unit of energy produced.

Ned also reminded the audience that, while opponents of coal like to say they have cancelled more than 100 coal plants nationwide, 23 plants at various stages of construction are being built right now. These are plants that are light years ahead of the “dirty” coal plants of the past, and many have emissions profiles of criteria pollutants that are near zero. Further, 11 plants across the country are tackling carbon dioxide emissions with carbon capture tests and demonstration projects that will capture CO2 before it’s emitted into the atmosphere. Sounds an awful lot like clean coal to me!

Stay tuned for more information on exciting new projects and technology developments from Austin

Everyone seems to like CCS Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/21/2009 01:00:00 PM

Today at a climate conference in Washington, lawmakers and key interests in energy and environmental issues said that any viable climate change bill must support technologies that curb carbon dioxide emissions.

At a morning session titled “The Farm Factor and the Role for Coal,” ACCCE Senior Vice President Paul Bailey said that advanced clean coal technologies for carbon capture and storage (CCS) – although in relative infancy – are a real solution to improving the environment while providing the energy stability that Americans want.

Joining Bailey on the panel was Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association; Dan Lashof, director of the climate center for the National Resources Defense Council; and Rick Krause, senior director of congressional relations at the American Farm Bureau. It was moderated by Rebecca Adams, a senior writer at CQ Weekly.

Several disagreements flared over the cost and effectiveness and the consumer benefits of proposed climate legislation over the 75-minute discussion. But consensus emerged on the topic of CCS.

“It looks like everyone is for carbon capture and storage,” Bailey said afterward.

Lashof, representing environmental interests, said in the panel that “you can make it work,” referring to CCS. He said that the “oil industry has spent 100 years” using CO₂ to extract fossil fuels from out of the ground. “They have learned a lot,” he said.

Bailey said he remembered when proposed scrubbers to eliminate SO₂ emissions were criticized.

“They said it wouldn’t work, it was too expensive,” he said. “They said it was difficult if not impossible to do.”

But he argued that the technology turned out to be less complicated to produce – and the results were dramatic. He noted afterward that the House and Senate versions of the climate change legislation includes between $150 billion and $200 billion for CCS initiatives.

We think that’s a step in the right direction. Let us know what you think.

Proposed gasification plant in Alaska could quadruple U.S. coal reserves Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/21/2009 09:00:00 AM

Source: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is advising Cook Inlet Region Inc., an Alaska native-owned corporation, about building a 100-megawatt underground coal gasification plant on a shore near Anchorage, Ala., reports The San Francisco Business Times.

Alaska has about one-sixth of the world’s coal resources, The Times says. UGC technology would allow the state to fully use otherwise unrecoverable coal deposits, effectively tripling or quadrupling the U.S.’s coal reserves, according to Lawrence Livermore. This would be a big boost toward increasing our energy independence.

For those who aren’t familiar, underground coal gasification converts coal that is still in the ground into a combustible gas, which can then be used for industrial heating, power generation or the manufacture of hydrogen, synthetic natural gas or diesel fuel.

The technology eliminates the need for coal to be mined, making it an environmentally safer and economically viable technology. Australia successfully demonstrated UGC on a commercial scale in 2008, and there are UGC projects underway in China, India and South Africa.

Cook Inlet Region Inc.’s $280 million UGC project is just one more example of our industry’s commitment to finding innovative ways to produce energy from coal. It would also help diversify Alaska’s current energy mix and provide a climate-conscious way to ensure greater energy security for the country.

Wall Street Journal declares CCS a game-changing technology Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/20/2009 01:00:00 PM

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is considered to be one of the “five technologies that could change everything,” The Wall Street Journal said in a cover story on Monday.

In other words, CCS could be part of an innovation wave that could help drastically reduce greenhouse gases and “radically change the world energy picture.”

It’s easy to understand why CCS would be considered a breakthrough technology. If commercially deployed, it could cut carbon dioxide emissions by 90 percent while limiting cost increases. The Journal acknowledges that the technology exists and has been demonstrated in small-scale pilots, but has yet to make the leap on a commercial level.

Of the other technologies the Journal lauded – such as space-based solar power and utility storage – two of them are involved with coal.

The advanced car batteries that would be used to boost the mileage of hybrid-electric cars would need to run on a grid powered by coal.

And next-generation biofuels, like genetically altered algae, can be used to eat carbon dioxide emissions captured from coal-generated power plants.

Scientists are continuing to work on these technologies. If perfected, it could radically change the way we use electricity – and most certainly pave the way toward a clean energy future.

Washington U. part of international clean coal team Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/16/2009 09:00:00 AM

Last October, our team traveled to Washington University in St. Louis to report on the vice presidential debate. But knowing that the school is home to one of the world’s leading programs in clean coal technology research, we didn’t want to miss the chance to ask people there what they thought about coal.

We bumped into James V. Wertsch, director of the university’s McDonnell International Scholars Academy, and two Chinese students from his program. In the video above, Wertsch tells us that “coal is going to be huge” for the United States and China and that we should continue to invest in clean coal research.

Washington University’s Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization is focused on advancing technologies for the clean utilization of coal, developing solutions to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and improve public understanding of the role of coal as a source of energy.

ACCCE members Arch Coal, Peabody and Ameren are lead sponsors for the program’s cutting-edge research, which includes carbon capture and sequestration, algae growth and emissions control technology.

This consortium partners up with universities from nearly a dozen coal-producing countries like China, India and Indonesia.

Washington University understands that climate change requires a global solution – and by working together, we can deploy commercial-scale clean coal technologies faster and more efficiently.

Show your support for Washington University by following the school on Twitter or becoming a fan of its engineering program on Facebook.

Factuality Tour 2009: On the road again Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/15/2009 01:07:08 PM

National Communications Director Steve Gates just visited the 2009 Gasification Technologies Conference as part of the America's Power^SM Factuality Tour. We'll be posting his interviews and videos from the event over the next several days.

The America's Power^SM Factuality Tour is back on the road, and this time we’re off to Colorado Springs for the 2009 Gasification Technologies Conference.

So what goes on at a conference like this? Well, it’s the gasification industry’s biggest event, full of expert presentations on the latest industry trends, developments and cutting-edge technologies. In fact, this year’s conference attracted nearly 750 attendees representing more than 400 companies and organizations from North America, Europe and Asia.

The strong attendance level can be attributed to several factors, including uncertainties surrounding future oil and natural gas prices as well as calls for more stringent control of fossil fuels’ environmental footprint – all of which play to the strengths of gasification technologies.

To learn more about gasification – and find out a little more about the event – I tracked down the conference’s director, Jim Childress of the Gasification Technology Council, and Neville Holt of the Electric Power Research Institute, who has been involved with the conference since its early days. These guys gave us a great overview of the conference and the field of gasification – and they both had a lot to say about how gasification can play an important role in producing low-emission electricity from coal in the very near future. Make sure you check out our video interviews with Jim and Neville to hear everything they had to say.

What they’re saying about clean coal technology Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/14/2009 01:00:00 PM

With climate change legislation passing through the Senate, we’ve heard many opinions from public officials on issues concerning energy policy and clean coal technology:

E&E News article (9/11): “Five influential coal-state Senate Democrats” -- Sens. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Max Baucus of Montana, Mark Warner of Virginia, and Arlen Specter and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania – introduced draft legislation that “they say would help with the widespread commercial deployment of carbon capture and sequestration technologies.”

Bob McDonnell, Republican candidate for Virginia governor, CNBC (10/6): “We're one of the largest coal-exporting states in the country. We've actually got the largest coal exporting port in the world in Hampton Roads, Virginia. I'm a strong supporter of the coal industry. There's a lot of innovation going on with carbon sequestration … coal gasification that in another five or 10 years might provide another use of coal. It's going to be very good for Virginia.”

Our team also had the opportunity last week to attend the Gasification Technologies Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., where emerging technologies were on display. We noted that:

Neville Holt of the Electric Power Research Institute (10/5): “What we got to do is operate the whole thing -- coal to kilowatts and sequester the CO2 continuously at a million tons a year just as soon as we possibly can.”

Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming governor (10/5): “We should advocate, and advocate fairly broadly, for a fully diverse energy mix in this country going forward. That the current attitude of selecting technologies based on prejudice rather than on analysis is going to be, I think, the undoing of this country.”

Breaking News: IEA: need for 3,400 CCS plants by 2050 Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/12/2009 02:09:04 PM

The New York Times reports that the International Energy Agency is calling for fast action on carbon storage in developing countries. According to a report to be released by the IEA, there is a need for 100 large-scale, fully deployed CCS plants around the world in the next decade and 3,400 by 2050.

Thomas Kerr, a senior IEA analyst, said the modeling used for the report is "not based on technology or political will ... just based on CO2." The Times also reports “that the agency found CCS will be one of the lowest-cost options in the coming decades, delivering about one-fifth of global emission reductions by midcentury.”

Click here to read the entire article.

We’ve been celebrating Energy Awareness Month since 1981 Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/12/2009 01:00:00 PM

President Obama this month announced October as National Energy Awareness Month – but did you know that the federal government has dedicated time each year to energy awareness since 1981?

Almost three decades ago, the U.S. Department of Energy set aside a week to remind Americans about the importance of saving electricity, which later turned into a month-long event. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush made October its observation period.

Since then, the DOE has launched annual campaigns to promote the efficient use of our nation’s energy.

The department has been particularly active in getting other federal agencies to be more conscious of their electricity usage. Not only does the effort help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it saves taxpayer dollars – the government spends more than $9 billion to power its operations and facilities throughout the country.

This year’s Energy Awareness Month has the same focus and values, but with an emphasis on a clean energy economy, energy security and developing clean energy technology.

And with climate change legislation moving through the Senate, these issues have never been more important.

So take some time to reflect on how you can help promote the efficient use of our nation’s energy – and if you want to share, leave us a comment.

Pleasant Prairie Power Plant captures nearly 90 percent of CO2 emissions Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/12/2009 09:00:00 AM

The Business Journal of Milwaukee reported last week that We Energies’ carbon capture project has been successful in cutting almost 90 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from their coal-generated power plant in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

The plant has actually been doing this for months. We know this because earlier this year, our team viewed its project during the America’s Power Factuality Tour and got to see carbon capture in action for ourselves.

We learned that the pilot facility takes about 1 percent of its flue gas for use in the demonstration project. Then, a chilled ammonia process is used to capture carbon dioxide emissions from the gas.

We congratulate We Energies and the Electric Power Research Institute for their dedicated work on carbon capture.

Not only does this initiative confirm the industry’s commitment to making fuel from coal increasingly clean, it proves that clean coal technology can drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating the effects of climate change.

This project is one step closer to making carbon capture feasible on a commercial scale – and right now, that’s a reassuring thought. USA Today reports that nine states are said to be falling short on their goals to increase the use of renewable energy.

This just goes to show how important it for us to keep working on coal – it’s a reliable base fuel that is abundant and affordable.

Stay on top of CCS with the Carbon Capture Journal Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/09/2009 01:00:00 PM

With the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen just around the corner and climate change legislation making its way through the Senate, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) has certainly become a hot topic.

And while staying on top of CCS news and research can seem a bit daunting, we’ve discovered one publication covering CCS and government policy in a way that’s “clear, useful and won’t waste your time.” It’s called the Carbon Capture Journal.

In addition to tracking new test facilities, demonstration sites and funding, the U.K.-based Journal offers comprehensive coverage of U.S. and international climate-related legislation.

And because Carbon Capture Journal covers a broad array of topics, its readers are just as varied. Apart from people in the energy industry, policy analysts, lawyers and reporters from all over the world subscribe to the publication.

But you don’t have to be a subscriber to get access to the Journal’s articles and resources. Carbon Capture Journal’s Web site posts some of its news items free of charge and features categorized links to companies working on CCS and related government organizations.

Take a minute to explore the site, and if you like what you see, start a profile on its online networking site and share your ideas about CCS with its Web-based community.

What are your favorite clean coal technology publications? Leave a comment and let us know.

Builders hold rally for coal plants in Michigan Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/08/2009 02:44:37 PM

On Tuesday, nearly 2,000 people – mostly ironworkers, electricians, carpenters and other builders looking for work – rallied outside the Michigan Capitol to demand action on the permitting of two new clean coal plants. The state air permits have been pending for two years.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s unemployment rate has climbed to 15.2 percent in August. As unemployment worsens, the pace of workers moving out of the state quickens. Michigan is shedding residents faster than a Siberian Husky loses fur in August. Michigan loses a family to outmigration every 12 minutes.

Given that climate, you would think Michigan’s leaders would quickly embrace projects that would create new jobs, pump money into the economy and provide affordable, reliable electricity for businesses and consumers.

You might think that, but you would be wrong. And that’s why nearly 2,000 mostly unemployed members of the building trades showed up Tuesday for the pro-coal plant rally in Lansing.

Battery-powered transportation extends to the locomotive industry Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/08/2009 01:00:00 PM

Last week, railroad company Norfolk Southern announced it would be unveiling a new kind of locomotive – one that runs completely on battery power.

The new train, equipped with 1,500 horsepower, will operate in Norfolk Southern’s Pennsylvania rail yard, where low-horsepower locomotives are typically used. The company has plans to develop hybrid diesel-and-electric trains for longer trips, which they hope to start testing by the end of next year.

Political leaders and research groups in other parts of the world are taking a serious look at hybrid train technology. Countries are converting their rail fleets to hybrid models – or environmental groups are pressing leaders to make the switch away from diesel trains.

In England, as part of long-term plans to modernize the railway system, the government will roll out hybrid trains over the next several years. In Ontario, Canada, government leaders have approved the use of diesel locomotives over the objections of an environmental coalition that wants rail lines there to be electrified. Officials in Thailand are drawing up a “strategic roadmap” for the industrial industry that includes developing hybrid trains parts.

It stands to reason that new hybrid trains will need electricity from somewhere. In the U.S., where we get nearly half of our electricity from coal, it’s possible that someday our trains will be running on the same kind of coal they ship.

This makes clean coal technologies like carbon capture and storage all the more essential. Imagine the possibilities: reduced greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, cars and trains, all while moving away from imported oil.

Kudos to Norfolk Southern. Read more about the train on its Web site and let us know what you think of this achievement in the comments.

NOTE: Norfolk Southern is a member of ACCCE.

New clean coal plant planned for Michigan Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/07/2009 01:00:00 PM

Yesterday, the Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative received a $2.7 million federal grant for their carbon capture and storage project at a coal-generated plant near Rogers City, Mich.

Although Wolverine Power’s 600-megawatt power plant has not yet been built, its CCS demonstration site is planned to capture 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year. The co-op’s dedication to developing the technology is illustrative of their commitment to building environmentally-conscious plants with the capability to reduce CO2 emissions.

“This gives a lot of credibility to what Wolverine has been saying,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.). “They want to be good stewards of our environment, use the latest technology.”

This is another great example of how building new coal-based plants can benefit the environment while helping us meet growing energy demand. I often wonder why some groups oppose new plants, especially when they’re built for efficiency and accommodations for new clean coal technologies—making them significantly cleaner than their aging counterparts.

These groups are actually standing in the way of progress, obstructing the advancement of the very technologies that will be necessary to meet the environmental standards that they support.

As you can see, Wolverine Power and others in the electric power industry understand that CO2 will become regulated in this country and are planning for the future by making technology investments today. This will allow coal—our most abundant, affordable fuel—to remain a part of America’s energy future.

Worldwide support for CCS starts with you Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/06/2009 09:00:00 AM

After President Obama’s recent climate change address to the United Nations, Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai told Democracy Now! that if the U.S. moves forward on reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the rest of the world will follow.

According to the Kenyan environmentalist, global leaders must come up with an agreement to make sure that “we aren’t emitting more carbon dioxide than we can take” – and the U.S. must use its status as a world leader to set a precedent.

The coal-generated electricity sector shares Maathai’s sentiments, which is why its scientists and engineers have been researching and deploying cutting-edge clean coal technologies for decades – including carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects designed to eliminate CO2 emissions.

And by exporting clean coal technologies and CCS to developing nations like China and India – as well as deploying the technology on a commercial scale within our borders – we can help ensure a clean energy future for our planet.

Many Americans are already working on making this a reality.

Venita McCellon-Allen, a working mother who relies on coal for electricity, has been encouraging Arkansans to support AEP’s John W. Turk power plant by educating them about the economic and environmental benefits of clean coal.

We hope you follow Venita – as well as a host of other Americans – and ask your friends and family to support clean coal technology – because if Maathai is right, our efforts will go a long way in leading the world into a clean energy future.

President Obama Declares October National Energy Awareness Month Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/05/2009 01:12:40 PM

We all know how passionate President Obama is about strengthening our energy security, creating green jobs and developing clean coal technology – so it’s no surprise that he recently declared October National Energy Awareness Month.

This special month will highlight our nation’s energy issues by promoting the importance of a clean energy economy and recognizing the companies and organizations that are committed to innovation in energy.

These two initiatives are important factors in strengthening our global competitiveness and securing our energy independence—two issues that should be brought into focus as climate change legislation moves through the Senate.

Honoring the folks who work hard to help us reach these goals is important. We’re particularly proud of those in our industry to make coal-generated electricity even cleaner, with cutting-edge technologies like carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC).

With technical and financial contributions to these emissions-reducing technologies, I’m confident we can become the world’s leading exporter in clean coal technology and exemplify how to jumpstart a depressed economy with technology.

How will you give thanks and show your support to members of the energy industry this month? Post a comment and let us know. And don’t forget to visit AmericasPower.org to check your knowledge of the country’s energy and environmental issues.

“The CO2 Story” breaks down the CCS process Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/05/2009 09:00:00 AM

As much as we love our YouTube videos on our Balanced Energy channel, we have to acknowledge the other great stuff out there as well.

Basin Electric Power’s mini-documentary “The CO2 Story” is particularly watch-worthy. It follows the company’s clean coal technology project at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant in North Dakota, which captures carbon dioxide (CO2) from the plant and pumps it to Canada where it’s used for enhanced oil recovery.

The video does an excellent job of showing the science behind the technology – the project’s engineers and employees from the plant explain the process of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in a way that’s easy to understand.

With the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen around the corner and climate legislation making its way through the Senate, it’s the right time to study up on advanced clean coal technologies and the projects going on across the country. This video is a great place to start.

Tell us what you think about “The CO2 Story” in the comments below—and let us know what documentaries, videos or webisodes you think we should check out.

And be sure to visit our Balanced Energy YouTube channel. We have nearly 100 videos on our channel, including everything from interviews with carbon capture experts to the stories of folks who rely on low-cost energy from coal.

Note: Basin Electric Power Cooperative is a member of ACCCE.

Getting CCS “right” at Columbia University Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/02/2009 09:00:00 AM

After interviewing students and professors this year’s Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS), we realized that some of the most passionate supporters of clean coal technology (CCT) hailed from Columbia University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering (EEE) in the Henry Crumb School of Mines.

“I’m interested in helping to solve problems on a large scale, and I think that CCS would enable us to do that,” EEE student Miriam told us in an interview.

Tim, another EEE student who is working on a PhD on the storage of sulfur and sulfates, said “we have to keep all our options open, and carbon sequestration is one of them.”

Their enthusiasm encouraged us to learn more about their program. It turns out that CCT is one of the main pillars of EEE’s research and specifically focuses on how clean coal technology can be incorporated into the energy and industrial infrastructure for the 21st century.

According to EEE’s Web site, the program plans to achieve this by “treating the inefficiencies and by-products” of fossil fuels through technologies such as carbon sequestration, zero-emission coal, catalysis and recycling.

Department chair Dr. Klaus Lackner, who also spoke with us at RECS , is also working on cutting-edge clean coal projects. Dr. Lackner and his colleagues at Columbia have partnered with Global Research Technologies to develop a new method of capturing carbon from the air in a process called “air extraction.” It will be the company’s first step toward a commercially viable clean coal technology.

Dr. Lackner and the team of experts at Columbia University are another example of the people who are dedicated to pushing essential clean coal technologies forward. Show your support and appreciation for their work by becoming a fan of Columbia University’s Earth Institute on Facebook.

In case you missed it Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/25/2009 09:00:00 AM

When you hear that renewable energy will triple in the next few years, how many people know just how much that really means as far as making a difference in our total electricity production?

Apparently Arch Coal CEO Steve Leer does. When asked in an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box about increasing the use of renewable energy Leer said “coal is the fastest growing fuel we've had for fossil fuels in the United States at 50 percent, it's enormous. And the scalability of renewables today are [sic] about two percent. So, they're going to double, triple, quintuple. If they quintuple, we have 10 percent of our electricity being derived from renewables…people forget to do the math.”

Leer went on to say that to say that we’ll need a balanced energy approach, noting that while we can “whittle away” at our use of fossil fuels, we will “still be heavily reliant on coal, natural gas and oil” for the next decade.

When asked about the use of CCS technology, Leer said that “stabilizing CO2 in the atmosphere, the only way to achieve it on a global scale is to develop carbon capture sequestration. Those technologies have to be developed. Otherwise we're just talking politics.”

Note: Arch Coal is a member of ACCCE.

Pittsburgh International Coal Conference: Getting serious about CCS Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/24/2009 08:59:05 AM

As you may have read from our previous blog posts, this week the city of Pittsburgh hosted the 26th Annual International Coal Conference, which focused on issues and technologies surrounding the continued use of coal.

As the city filled up with the world’s foremost scientists, geologists, engineers and business leaders, our climate and energy challenges became increasingly realistic.

According to Granger Morgan, a Carnegie Mellon University engineering professor who spoke at the event, we must get more serious about the use of clean coal technologies, especially if the United States wants to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 80 percent by 2050. “Coal with carbon capture and sequestration will be an essential part of this solution,” Morgan said.

The regional spotlight may have inspired Pennsylvania State University alumnus Ted O’Brien to “get more serious” about at our climate and energy issues. In a recent letter to the Daily Collegian, O’Brien writes that Americans “would be better off coming to the realization that coal is a necessary piece of our generation mix” and should “encourage those in power to work toward cleaning its emissions” via technologies like CCS.

Reaching our goal of cutting CO2 emissions will take a multi-pronged approach, but we know that CCS technologies are part of the solution. What questions do you have about this technology and what other ideas do you have for a balanced energy approach?

What they’re saying at the International Coal Conference in Pittsburgh Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/23/2009 09:00:00 AM

Pittsburgh is hosting the 26th Annual International Coal Conference, an event that focuses on environmental issues and technologies surrounding the continued use of coal, along with the development of future coal-based plants to achieve near zero emissions. Here’s a sampling of what scientists, academics and energy industry leaders have been saying at the conference:

Jared L. Cohon, Carnegie Mellon University president, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (9/22): “Pittsburgh should make research and development of clean coal technologies the highest priority because despite its emissions problems the world will continue to rely on it while alternative energy sources are developed.”

M. Granger Morgan, head of the Department of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (9-22): “To stop climate change, by mid-century the world must reduce its emissions roughly 80 percent. Doing that's going to take everything we've got: more efficient use of energy, coal plants that capture their carbon dioxide and safely put it a mile underground, more wind and nuclear plants, and plug-electric hybrid vehicles that get their power from the U.S., not the Middle East.”

M. Granger Morgan, head of the Department of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (9-22): "There are no ‘silver bullets’ — no single technology or strategy that will solve the problem of climate change. Meeting that challenge will take everything we've got — and in the process create many new jobs.”

John Hanger, DEP secretary and former president and chief executive officer of Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (9-22): "To continue this progress, we must use both law and markets. Laws like building codes and vehicle mileage standards must boost energy efficiency as well as low-carbon fuels and electricity; competitive markets must operate to produce efficiently cleaner appliances, electricity, vehicles; and public-private partnerships must develop new and better technologies like carbon capture and storage for coal plants."

Albert Whitehouse, director of the Department of Interior's International Technical Assistance Program, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (9/22): "No one can make the bridge from the present to the future without coal."

Questioning the future of coal and CCS Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/22/2009 04:01:11 PM

Last week, our team had the opportunity to speak with West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin at ACI’s Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Summit in Washington, D.C.

Gov. Manchin shared his enthusiasm for deploying clean coal technologies like CCS in his state; he knows all too well that coal provides much-need jobs and affordable energy—nearly 98 percent of the state’s electricity is generated from coal. His experience at the local level has undoubtedly given the governor a national and global perspective on energy.

“Coal will continue to be a major energy source for the next 30 years or more as the nation and world transition to the energy of the future, and leaders must find a balance between the economy and environment,” he said, at a recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce event.

The governor’s state is leading the way, with plans to retrofit outdated plants with new, emissions-reducing technologies, as well as the construction of a commercial scale CCS plant in the town of New Haven.

With advancements in CCS happening here at home and across the globe, it’s baffling to read stories questioning the existence of CCS—one writer recently when so far as to say that “CCS is dead.”

If that’s true, then according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), the notion of reducing the global concentration of greenhouse gases is dead as well. Both of these groups—along with many of the world’s top scientists—agree that CCS is a crucial component to cost-effectively achieving target global emissions reductions.

Just take a look at our recent videos on the Balanced Energy YouTube channel to see students, professors, scientists and elected officials working hard to solve our energy and climate challenges—using the abundant and affordable resources we have available to us.

President Obama speaks to UN about climate change Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/22/2009 02:55:56 PM

Earlier today, President Obama addressed the United Nations (UN) on the topic of climate change.

We’ve long applauded President Obama for his attention to this complex issue and his realistic solutions, which include support for advanced clean coal technologies like carbon capture and storage (CSS). In fact, the president was voicing his support for these technologies long before he was officially in office:

On the campaign trail, Mr. Obama also acknowledged that “a huge percentage of our electricity is generated by coal,” and that we need “to put clean coal technology on the fast track and that means money. It means investment in research. That’s something we should have already been doing.”

As president, Mr. Obama has made good on his commitment to advanced clean coal technologies through allocation of funding in the federal stimulus bill, as well as Department of Energy (DOE) grants for various clean coal projects across the country.

He has also demonstrated his commitment on the international level, noting in a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that “figuring out how to sequester and capture carbon that’s emitted from coal as just one element of a broader range of energy initiatives, that’s an example of something that can create jobs; also deal with a potential environmental crisis—that’s the kind of economic growth that I think we’re going to be looking for.”

It’s clear that our president is someone who recognizes that coal is large part of the global energy mix and that we cannot reach global emissions reduction goals without CCS.

As we said in our official statement, we applaud President Obama for addressing such a complex issue and we look forward to working with his administration and Congress to find solutions that benefit everyone involved.

The big week for Pittsburgh continues Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/22/2009 09:00:00 AM

As the G20 Summit and the International Pittsburgh Coal Conference continue to make headlines in Western Pennsylvania this week, more good news recently came out of the region, as a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gases is set to debut—with the goal of attracting attention from world leaders in town to discuss global markets and economies.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported on Saturday that, “At Consol Energy Inc.'s Research and Development center in South Park on Tuesday, a process for capturing carbon dioxide from coal-burning power plants is expected to receive $1 million from the state Department of Environmental Protection for further testing.”

The process includes a pressurized fluid bed combustion boiler from PFBC Environmental Energy Technology Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company, with a carbon capture system created by Sweden-based Sargas Inc.

As quoted in the Tribune-Review, Henrik Fleischer, CEO of Sargas, said "The world seems to have a consensus on reducing global warming. There's just no way to achieve that goal without carbon capture and sequestration from existing power plants, no matter how many windmills and solar panels you build."

We’re keeping an eye on all the developments that are happening in Pittsburgh this week, so check back here for any new announcements from the Steel City.

A salute to the Steel City Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/21/2009 01:15:04 PM

Always known as an exciting sports town, Pittsburgh is making big headlines this week for other reasons. In the same week, the city is hosting the 26th Annual International Coal Conference as well as the G20 Summit. Much like the coal-based electricity sector, Pittsburgh has transformed its city into a center for new ideas and high-tech developments while keeping its identity as a hard-working, no-nonsense town.

As President Obama said:

[Pittsburgh] represents the transition of the U.S. economy from [an] industrial state to a mix of strong industry -- steel -- but also now biotech and clean energy. It has transformed itself, after some very tough times, into a city that's competing in the world economy.

So to have the G-20 summit, which is really becoming the forum in which an interconnected 21st-century economy is discussed and the architecture is shaped, having that conversation take place in Pittsburgh I think is very appropriate because it shows the direction that our economy is moving.

Throughout the world, coal is a major energy source, providing 41 percent of the world's electricity. The 26th Annual International Pittsburgh Coal Conference will focus on environmental emissions issues and technologies surrounding the continued use of coal, along with the development of future coal-based plants to achieve near-zero emissions.

As the world turns its attention to “The City of Champions,” it may be time to get rid of your preconceived notions about what the city once was, and while you’re at it, rethink just how far the coal-based electricity has come over the past few decades. The facts surely will surprise you.

We can lead the world in clean coal technologies Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/21/2009 09:00:00 AM

When U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu visited China this summer, he had one goal in mind: to open China’s market to American clean technology products while pushing China to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Chu also laid out plans for how the U.S. would export and transfer the technology to China.

Clearly, Chu recognizes that the U.S. is a leader in technologies like carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

It’s easy to understand why – there are more than 200 clean coal programs and projects across the U.S. and nearly $6 billion in research underway in 41 states. Some American engineers, scientists and geologists have been working on clean coal technology for more than a decade.

With the new administration’s support of CCT, U.S. energy companies are making headway – just last week, the Southern Company (an ACCCE member) announced that China would be the first to implement Transport Integrated Gasification, the company’s technology for producing low-emission coal-based electricity.

Other U.S. energy companies are choosing to team up with their Chinese counterparts. Houston-based Future Fuels and Beijing-based Thermal Power Research Institute will focus on constructing coal-based electricity plants in both the U.S. and China.

As we’ve been saying, if we don’t develop the technology here, it won’t make its way to China, India and other places in the developing world that will continue to use massive amounts of coal no matter what we do in the U.S.

They need CCT just as much we do – but we have the technology know-how. It’s time for the U.S. to step up to the plate and lead the way in mitigating climate change.

Clean Coal Technology: it’s all around us Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/18/2009 12:59:00 PM

For a while this week, it seemed as though all of Washington was absorbed with clean coal technology. On Monday and Tuesday, not one, but two, conferences focused on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

We had to choose which one to attend, and we went with the one organized by the American Conference Institute. (Trade publisher Platts did the second one.)

I have to tell you we came away from ACI’s CCS summit encouraged about where the technology is heading.

Hearing about different CCS projects reminded us of the clean coal technology map wekeep on the AmericasPower.org site to help us track new clean coal projects around the country.

According to our data, there is over $6 billion in clean coal research underway right now in 41 states – even ones not normally associated with coal production.

The projects run the gamut from integrated gasification combined cycle research to advanced fossil energy research. (You can learn a lot about just how complex it is and how many different organizations are working on it just by clicking from one dot to another.)

Check out the map to find a clean coal research project near you – and if we missed any, be sure to let us know in the comment box below.

The CCS Summit reminded us of Venita Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/17/2009 01:00:00 PM

We just returned from ACI’S Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Summit here in Washington, D.C. and learned some interesting new facts about the technology behind CCS. We also met and interviewed a few movers and shakers in the industry.

Speaking to all those energy folks reminded us of our friend Venita, an executive vice president at AEP West. Her career has been dedicated to providing affordable electricity for Americans. On top of that, she’s passionate about clean coal technology.

“We have to plan for the long term. That’s what we believe we’re doing with the advancement of clean coal technology – building a way to the future,” she says.

Although she couldn’t attend the summit, we’re confident that her carbon capture and sequestration knowledge is up-to-snuff.

Watch her videos and see for yourself – Venita has been encouraging members of her community to support AEP’s John W. Turk power plant by educating them about the economic and environmental benefits of clean coal.

You can be a clean coal and CCS expert, too – but asking questions is the first step. Check out our live coverage from the CCS summit and tell us what you think in the comment box below.

CCS shines at the Rutgers Energy Institute Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/17/2009 09:00:00 AM

We didn’t know much about Rutgers University’s energy research until we met Ben, a Rutgers graduate student, at the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration in New Mexico.

Ben, who is studying atmospheric science, believes that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is “an important ingredient in solving the problem of global warming.” Hearing how passionate he felt about clean coal technology got us interested in learning more about Rutgers’ climate and energy programs.

We were excited to discover the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI), a center that integrates the university’s expertise in science and engineering and puts it toward alternative energy research – including CCS and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Just this month, REI received almost $8 million in federal grants from the National Science Foundation.

According to the REI Web site, the CCS research focuses on:

•Developing technology to capture CO2 from coal-generated power plants and other point sources such as oil refineries and cement factories

•Exploring the potential for large-scale and long-term storage of CO2 in both onshore and offshore geologic formations

It’s no wonder Ben is so motivated about pushing CCS forward – he’s got the right resources behind him to help pave the way for a clean coal technology future.

Join the Rutgers University fan page on Facebook or follow Rutgers’ environmental school on Twitter.

Five U.S. senators urge support for CCS Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/16/2009 02:30:55 PM

Last Friday, five senators released provisions to climate legislation working its way through the Senate, encouraging increased allowances for coal-generated power plants as they sequester more emissions. Allowances are an important component of climate legislation as they allow utilities to protect their customers from higher electricity costs.

The senators also voiced support for a $10 billion, 10-year program to deploy carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology at the commercial scale across the U.S., noting that “it is in the public interest to achieve widespread, commercial-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage, both in America and throughout Asia before January 1, 2030.”

While we can’t comment on the particulars of the provisions (we’re still reading them), we can say that these recommendations will help as the Senate writes climate legislation. Because as we’ve said before, an effective climate policy needs to ensure:

1. Adequate protections to shield rate-payers from higher energy costs; and

2. Support for the commercial deployment of advanced clean coal technologies like CCS—which experts agree is essential to meeting global emissions reduction goals.

All of our efforts here at ACCCE are part of our mission to make certain that whatever bill the Senate passes protects our vulnerable economy and rate-payers, promotes job creation and creates solutions for reducing emissions. It’s encouraging to see policymakers set in motion the actions to get us there.

New blog series: a spotlight on university clean coal programs Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/10/2009 09:00:00 AM

 America has long looked to their colleges and universities to solve problems on a national scale. The development of clean coal technologies (CCT) is no different.

That’s because many CCT demonstration projects stem from university programs run by geologists, scientists, engineers and researchers who have spent years testing and perfecting the science behind the technology.

Even the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) acknowledges academia’s role in moving CCT to commercial scale. Recently, the DOE announced more than $27 million in funding for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects, noting that the bulk of the funding would go toward university programs.

With that in mind, we are proud to introduce our weekly spotlight on university CCT programs. For the next few Thursdays, we’ll highlight programs and initiatives taking place at college campuses across the country.

We’ll kick things off with Stanford University’s Global Climate and Energy Project.

The program’s mission is to conduct research on technology that “permits the development of global energy systems with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.” Take a look at their research—they’re already working on a carbon dioxide storage project in China.

We actually had the opportunity to meet the director of the program, Dr. Sally Benson, during this year’s Research Exploration in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) in New Mexico.

During a video interview, Dr. Benson told us that understanding how carbon dioxide flows through rocks is the key to making CCS effective and safe.

Without programs like the Global Climate and Energy Project or dedicated scientists like Dr. Benson, our progress in emissions-reducing clean coal technologies would become stagnant. You can show your support for Dr. Benson and her program by adding Stanford University or the Stanford School of Engineering page to your Facebook profile.

Don’t miss next week’s university spotlight—subscribe to Behind the Plug via email or RSS to be alerted to new posts.

What they’re saying: clean coal technology and the economy Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/09/2009 09:00:00 AM

With the climate change bill moving through the Senate and the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen around the corner, many public officials have voiced their opinions about the importance of coal and clean coal technology. Here’s a sampling of what they’ve been saying lately:

On clean coal technology:

Bjørn Lomborg, professor at the Copenhagen Business School and director of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, Wall Street Journal (8/28): In an op-ed, Lomborg “urges action to address global warming, and argues that the most effective way to address the problem is through technology. Economic sanctions such as a carbon tax or cap-and-trade program will only hinder technological development.”

On the Department of Energy’s announcement of $27 million in funding for clean coal technology:

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Washington Examiner (8/28): “The University of Texas at Austin is one of seven organizations receiving funding to develop sequestration technology training projects.” The $8.4 million awarded to the university “will be used to train site developers, geologists, engineers, and technicians in order to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technologies for CO2 sequestration.” Said Chu, “These projects will train workers for a clean energy economy and help position the United States as a leader in carbon capture and storages technologies for years to come.”

On the benefits of coal:

Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), The Shelby County Reporter (8/26): “Its [coal’s] advantages are that it’s abundant and relatively low-cost. Coal production is a huge source of revenue, as the total annual value of coal produced in the state exceeds $1 billion.”

Restating facts about our energy future Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/01/2009 01:00:00 PM

In the past few months, ACCCE has launched several initiatives to help inform Americans about environmental issues and America’s energy future—a critical topic as the U.S. Senate takes up climate change legislation.

We visited clean coal technology projects during our Factuality Tour. We profiled three Americans who shared how their lives were made better by low-cost electricity from coal. And we traveled across the U.S. to share our message of affordable energy. With all the work that we’ve been doing, we’re bound to hear some criticism. That’s part of a rigorous debate. But we have to step in when someone writes something about our organization that misstates our position.

In a recent article, Daily Finance, a business and financial news Web site, included ACCCE in a rundown of think tanks and lobbying organizations that do not want climate change legislation to pass in the Senate. That is false.

Just the opposite is true. ACCCE has been very clear from the beginning that we are for federal carbon management legislation and we recognize that a cap-and-trade program could be part of that solution.

When outside groups – including publications like Daily Finance – imply that we are trying to “kill” clean energy legislation, it can’t go uncorrected. All of our efforts are part of a bigger goal to ensure that whatever bill Congress passes protects consumers from higher energy costs while meeting emission reduction goals.

In addition, the article mentioned that our Factuality Tour was a “stunt” to discourage people from supporting the climate change bill. Again, this is incorrect – the Factuality Tour explores clean coal technology (CCT) projects throughout the U.S., augmenting the provisions in the current version of the climate legislation for CCT funding.

ACCCE prides itself on being an organization that stands by its commitments and that is why we are disappointed when publications misrepresent our mission and public policy positions.

Let’s agree that climate legislation is a very important issue. It is the nexus of energy, environment and economic policy … and therefore will have a dramatic impact on the life of every American. It deserves better than the politics-as-usual slant some publications continue to inject into the debate.

Direct carbon: cleans coal without burning it Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/01/2009 10:19:24 AM

The New York Times reports that researchers and companies are pursuing a new kind of clean coal technology that uses coal without burning it, in a process called direct carbon.

According to the article, direct carbon fuel cells efficiently produce electricity straight from the carbon source, skipping the burning step altogether. The technology is also cheaper and more efficient than other kinds of clean coal technologies and has the added benefit of keeping our most abundant, affordable energy source a part of the nation’s energy mix.

But direct carbon can’t be commercially deployed without significant government research funding. “Without the federal money, I don’t really see this viable technology making real headway,” said Turgut Gur, chief technology officer of Direct Carbon Technologies, LLC.

Like we’ve been saying, emerging clean energy technologies need support from public-private partnerships—which provide federal funds to help private companies clear initial cost hurdles—so that we can get new technology to the marketplace as soon as possible.

Just recently, the DOE announced that it would contribute more than $27 million in funding to carbon capture and storage projects across the country. We hope projects like direct carbon get a slice of the funding, too. As we saw firsthand at RECS, there are many talented minds and dedicated programs behind the next generation of clean coal technology. But in order to help push it forward, Gur is right – the government must be involved.

Deconstructing the new Washington Post energy poll Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/28/2009 12:08:37 PM

I'll admit it; I love to read poll numbers. Maybe it is a sign of being a political junkie … but I’m always looking at polls. But it’s more than that. Whether it’s a study on best sports city in America, best place for pizza, or thoughts on our energy future, I am fascinated by understanding what people think … and why they think it.

So imagine my excitement to see a story in today's Washington Post had talking about how most American view President Obama’s energy initiative. Knowing that President Obama is a big supporter of clean coal technologies, I quickly put down my morning coffee and began reading. When I finished the article, I realized one thing was inexplicably missing: there were no questions asked about coal or clean coal technologies.

With all due respect to the Post, how in the world can you conduct a poll about the president’s energy initiatives—especially in the wake of climate change proposals—and not mention clean coal?

Coal is only America’s most abundant energy resource. And, with our economy struggling … it is also worth noting that coal is our most abundant energy resource (and we all know that low-cost energy means jobs … especially in the manufacturing sector).

I would like to add an addendum to today’s story…the last time we asked decision makers in the U.S. if coal was a fuel for America’s future; 69 percent agreed that “yes” it was.

For the record, I’m encouraged that energy policy questions and polls are becoming more prominent every day. How we go about providing affordable electricity, while keeping an eye on the environment, remains one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime. And for the record (and since the Washington Post didn’t ask), our 2008 national survey found that 72 percent Americans believe that new technologies would allow coal-based electricity plants to capture and store greenhouse gas emissions within the next 10-20 years.

But we can’t create solutions without taking into account all of our strengths and opportunities. And those include American coal and clean coal technologies.

Do you agree?

Helping The Environment And The Economy At The Same Time Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/21/2009 04:00:00 PM

According to a recent study, the majority of West Virginians believe their state’s economic growth should be given priority, even at the expense of protecting their environment.

But West Virginia can have their cake and eat it, too – clean coal technology will make it possible for Americans to boost the economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The importance of advanced technology for carbon capture and storage is that it is a path for us to remove the choice from that poll, which we believe to be a false choice.

We do not have to sacrifice the environment. And we do not have to sacrifice economic recovery.

A study conducted by BBC Research and Consulting says that the commercial-scale deployment of clean coal technology will generate up to $1 trillion of economic output and create more than 7 million man-years of employment.

The takeaway is that we can help both the economy and the environment at the same time.

Listening to the energy concerns of real America Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/14/2009 12:47:52 PM

This week, Team Virginia focused on listening to the energy concerns of real America – people, as the team says, “who are struggling to pay their electric bill every month.”

The team was able to find those voices in two small towns south of Richmond: Franklin and Emporia. Walking down Main Street, the team members spoke to small business owners, customers, construction workers and even people eating breakfast.

Most of the townspeople agreed that the cost of energy needs to stay affordable.

Many people across the country express the same sentiment.

In our latest ad campaign, we spoke to three everyday Americans who are concerned with the climate change debate and want to make sure that – just like the residents of Franklin and Emporia – legislation keeps energy affordable.

Great work, Team Virginia! You hit the nail right on the head.

Take a look at the video, and make sure to explore our new campaign.

How much CO2 can we store? Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/13/2009 03:34:51 PM

When we start talking about carbon capture technologies, one question I’m often asked is:

Where will we put the CO2? And how much of it can we store?

In its 2007 Carbon Sequestration Atlas, the National Energy Technology Laboratory reported that North America has enough storage capacity at our current rate of production for more than 900 years worth of carbon dioxide.

This storage capacity is located deep underground across the continent in varying types of geological formations – including unmineable coal seams and oil and gas reservoirs.

To break it down, the U.S. and Canada are the source of 3.8 billion tons of CO2 each year, but we have storage space for 3.5 trillion tons. Divide that out and we have, in effect, a 921-year reservoir of carbon dioxide storage.

Scientists, geologists and researchers are continually working to make carbon sequestration safer and more secure. During this year’s Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS), we got the chance to see carbon storage in action and meet the experts behind the technology.

Furthermore, the science and technology community is looking at other mechanisms for CO2 storage, including feeding it to algae, which is being studied for use as a substitute for the gas we feed our cars.

Our vast CO2 storage capabilities will not only help facilitate the commercial growth of carbon sequestration projects in the U.S.—but can help us use our most abundant, low-cost energy source for centuries to come.

Team Virginia “Jaywalking” in Staunton Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/12/2009 10:31:37 AM

Team Virginia had a bit of fun with folks in downtown Staunton, spoofing Jay Leno’s “Jaywalking” segment from The Tonight Show.

While Leno asks questions about current events and pop culture, our team asked, “What does affordable energy mean for Virginia?”

Think you know the answer? Check out the video to find out.

Talking Affordable Energy in Ohio and Missouri Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/11/2009 11:27:48 AM

Yesterday was a big day for Team Missouri -- they started at the State Capitol building in St. Charles and ended at the Cardinal's game in St. Louis.

The team discovered that many people in the Show-Me State are concerned with their rising electricity prices and want to know why coal is an important aspect to the state's energy mix -- which of course, the team was happy to answer. Coal provides 82 percent of Missouri's electricity, and if coal was removed from the energy mix, the state could lose 317,000 jobs by 2015.

Team Missouri even met a few folks who had never heard of clean coal before!

Meanwhile, Team Ohio reached out to families at Licking County's Hartford Fair, dubbed "the biggest little fair in the world." Locals agreed that the way to keep jobs in Ohio was by supporting clean coal technology.

The team even overheard a high school student tell her friends they should wear the affordable energy hats our team was handing out because "coal for electricity is good, and work should be done to make it green."

Keep up the good work, teams!

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